CAT scales - 2011 Durango and Grey Wolf 23MK travel trailer

millmitch · May 1, 2018

We bought a travel trailer last fall, spent two nights in it, then winterized and into storage. I finished loading up the trailer this past weekend and hit the CAT scales, so I thought I would share. Couple caveats: i haven't towed much yet, so i am reserving judgement. For me, this is the top end of what I would be willing to tow.
Specs:
TV: 2011 Durango AWD oem Tow Package 5.7l; E2 WDH and brake controller (can't remember the brand). GVW 7100, max front axle 3200, max rear axle 3900, max tow 7200, GCVW (durango + trailer) 13,100
Forest River 23MK TT 28.5 ft, 5100lbs dry, GVW 7600
CAT Scales hooked to trailer w/ WDH, 2 passengers, 1/4 tank gas, maybe 150lbs in back of SUV - front axle 3020, rear axle 3740, TT axles 4900, GCVW 11660
drop off trailer and back to scale with Durango:
front axle 3080, rear axle 2940, GVW 6020 (which puts the travel trailer at 5640 without water)
The TT is basically loaded with all our gear except clothes, coffee pot, food and water. Water will add another 380lbs. Full disclosure, i am heavy on the tongue weight. The manual lists a 720lbs max tongue and my homemade tongue scale puts me around 850. Right, wrong or indifferent, i am assuming the 720lbs is a bigger issue dead towing a trailer without a WDH. If I'm wrong, I'll end up breaking my wife's car.
This works for us because we tend to camp close by for now (4 hours away max). Probably wouldn't take this across the mountains, I'll have a better idea after I get more towing under my belt under various conditions. And at some point, i will probably replace my wife's Durango with a pickup (with a tow package)..
Thanks

Chase300 · May 1, 2018

Interesting..I've been wanting to do the same with my combo.
So that 6020 lb. rating for your D was with 2 people, 1/4 tank and cargo?

millmitch · May 1, 2018

Yes, but cargo is minimal. I know the tongue weight on the TT is heavy, so i try and compensate by minimizing what cargo i haul in the D when towing. Telescoping ladder weighs about 60#, and was the heaviest thing in the back. 150lbs is probably a high estimate of what was in the back (there was other stuff in the D, but i doubt it weighed 90lbs)

04ctd · May 2, 2018

FWIW, i always try to put some weight in the bed of the pickup when towing to keep the "tail from wagging the dog"

IDK, seems like a 'Burb or Tahoe (truck style body on frame) vice DD (unibody with no frame) would be better for heavy towing.

my buddy had one of the "superlight" trailers (the biggest you could tow with a gas truck/1500) and the rear end on his Ram 1500 was so hot you could FEEL it when you walked by. he upgraded to a 2500. in other words, towing is sometimes easy on eqpt, and sometimes harder than we think, so keep an eye on everything, maybe get a heat gun and check temps on the rear diff?

on the other side, i just bought a second gen Cummins, and "restoring' this truck has been a real money pit. so good on you for enjoying what you have without breaking the bank.

millmitch · May 2, 2018

Thanks. For now it works for us; only have 3 weeks of vacation, so no long trips planned. I like the heat gun idea, i could check the wheel bearing temps and tire temps as well. The rear diff comment reminds me it's time to change the front and rear diff fluids and the transfer case.

CAT scales - 2011 Durango and Grey Wolf 23MK travel trailer

millmitch

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